A Party of one..

Bill Golden, an associate of mine, has started a political party. Bill and I met (as they say in China) "in interesting times" and shared a few unique experiences.

When I saw his post, it frankly caused me a bit of angst. He has invited me to join. Bill is probably the most qualified guy I know to start a political party. On the other hand, I prefer to be a "party of one". Recent experiences (which Bill shared) only confirmed that I'm not suited for organized political parties or groups. I'm sharing my note to Bill to both recommend his party and explain why I (his friend and fellow Libertarian, someone who would be reasonably expected to immediately join) didn't sign up.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." --Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

Bill,

Good luck! Our world view is, while not identical, very consistent on the "big stuff". I've decided to remain a "party of one".

I've tried political groups over the past couple of years and have found they just don't suit me. They are either formed by someone who wishes to build support for some preconceived philosophy or idea or quickly taken over by others for the same reason. This isn't necessarily a criticism, it's an observation (and probably not always correct... it's just my experience). These groups suit some people. They are not for me.

I'll continue to be a "party of one" seeking to exchange information with people of all political persuasions who are willing to discuss and disagree without making it "personal" (as you and I do regularly). I don't desire to sign up to develop a group philosophy... I already have a personal philosophy. I am not interested in building a platform... I'd rather evaluate the platforms presented by candidates (with a bit of due diligence to see if their platform reflects their past actions). I have no desire to convert anyone to my way of thinking or to be the subject of the conversion efforts of others. I have encountered intolerance for ideas with whom others disagree or don't understand and have no interest in becoming the target of such intolerance again.

Everything that I know and believe is based upon what I have learned and observed up to this moment. I continue to evolve as I assimilate new information. If presented with compelling information, I could completely and radically change what I believe (just as new information proved that the Earth is not flat or that it is not the center of the Universe). My greatest pleasure is finding out that I'm wrong about something... because that is truly personal and intellectual growth. I am a Libertarian because, frankly, it comes with the fewest rules and the least baggage. It's a label. I have found most other labels whether they be left or right, coffee or tea, liberal or conservative, come with complex rulesets, expectations, perhaps a touch of religious doctrine mixed in with public policy, and little tolerance for other ideas. They are more about people who need reinforcement to convince themselves that their live makes sense, that what they believe is correct, or perhaps to validate a lifetime of personal action and decisions.

The fact that I have spent a good part of my life overseas, occasionally in "bad neighborhoods," and usually with people who have radically different views of the world, how it should be organized, and why we are here has convinced me that most of our personal beliefs are merely accidents of birth, circumstance, and our environment. (Show of hands... how many people changed religions when they got married? ..Political parties?) I long for the day when people can "step out of" the framework in which they were born, perhaps reconsider spending a lifetime confirming it, and stop devoting so much time to compelling others to be part of it.

To those who look for an organized political party, I give Bill Golden my highest recommendation. We have spent long hours on my front porch and a few other places discussing a range of issues. He has changed my mind about a few things... and I believe that perhaps I have changed his once or twice. I will watch this group with great interest.

Good luck... and let me know if you are still interested in Coffee with a "Party of one" occasionally. That offer is open to any one of like mind who believes that they might want do engage in conversations where they might learn, inform, or just enjoy a good cup of coffee. My front porch is generally available... and my coffee gets good reviews.

Bill... I suspect you know me well enough to understand.

Al